In a world dominated by incessant information streams, celebrity drama, and deference to algorithms, only the sharpest of minds and most scathing of wits can cut through to return some serene normalcy to society. Luckily for us, Amsterdam’s Cosmic Crooner possesses these aspects in abundance, and puts them on full display with his debut record The Perks Of Being A Hypocrite, set for release on Friday 17th March.
Inspired in equal measure by iconic chanteurs such as Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye, Roy Orbison, and Jacques Brel, alongside 60s and 70s European film scores from composers such as Jean-Luc Godard and Ennio Morricone, the Dutch songster unites his varied transatlantic scope of influences with his droll lyrical cynicism into a charming listen and insightful journey into the mind of the Cosmic Crooner.
Upon first listen, the modern listener may be inclined to make comparisons to the more recent work of Alex Turner and Arctic Monkeys. The grandiose end of opener ‘Deep Down in Jazz’ harks back to the anthemic indie-pop of Suck It And See; ‘Popsicle Place’ is rooted in the soundscape that found its feet on the more understated cuts from AM and flourished on Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino and The Car; and there are even hints of The Last Shadow Puppets on the waltzing love-song ‘Bolero’. While a great starting point, this is merely a face-value link – repeated listens offer new nuggets of gold that Cosmic Crooner tucks away in the many layers of his production and his lyricism.
Indeed, in the opening two songs we hear a theatrical retelling of the character’s origin story due to his being disheartened with modern pop on ‘Deep Down In Jazz’ – “When he hit the stage the other day / Cosmic Crooner was born in such a way … Deep down in jazz / Three chords make him mad” – alongside a more outwardly observational songwriting style compared to the introspection of The Car, as both ‘Deep Down In Jazz’ and the compelling slow-fast dance of ‘Spoiler Alert’ comment on the pitfalls of the information age: “Ideas arrive at such speed”; “’Cause nowadays it’s hard to be missing any information … It’s hard to be stupid these days”. While many who have sung of these topics before have come off as old-headed or as philistines, Cosmic Crooner’s treatment belies a cool discontentment, a sigh of exasperation that he could do without having to make, only adding to the suave, aloof aura his character maintains.
The cynical self-referential tone of Cosmic Crooner’s songwriting on this record is undoubtedly its masterstroke, and the three tracks at the heart of this album display it in buckets. The endearing hypocrisy of asking “But does the world need another melody / Expressing that I feel lonely?” on ‘Late Night Obsession’ is a chuckle-inducing highlight – one of the “perks” the album title speaks of, if you will. ‘Reflexopolis’ closes its refrain sweetly, exploring the Crooner’s impressive vocal range as he sings “My songs may be slow / But my love will grow”; and ‘Goodbye Hollywood’ does what it says on the tin, as the modern music industry’s faults are bemoaned as Cosmic Crooner ironically bids it farewell on his debut album.
All the lyrical exposition of Cosmic Crooner’s stylishly witty character up to this point sets the album up for its variegated final run, as the artists dives head-first into his vast pool of influence. Moving from a 60s spy-flick sound – with a similarly cinematic self-directed video – on ‘Tema Di Filippo’, to the classic doo-wop of ‘Goosebumps On A Tuesday Night’, back to the Italian soundtrack inspiration behind ‘Girlfriend’, there is no end to the list of mid-to-late 20th century genres Cosmic Crooner can pick from, make his own, and sculpt into its perfect place in the context of a record.
Wrapping up with a reprise to the rocking ‘Popsicle Place’ getaway – which even in its role as an outro is drenched in period instruments and retro sensibilities – The Perks Of Being A Hypocrite is an album that leaves a warm feeling in the heart and a smile in the soul. Full of self-deprecating humour, acutely observational wit, and lusciously textured sounds from eras gone by, Cosmic Crooner takes you on a ride through his character’s psyche in a truly unique debut effort that demands to be listened to.
Words by David Harrold
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